WEBVTT BRIAN: AND ALTHOUGH THERE'S NOSNOW ON THE GROUND YET, THISRACE DID NOT REQUIRE ANY.NBC 5'S HELENA BATTIPAGLIA TAKESUS INSIDE THE COMPETITION.REPORTER: SWAPPING OUT THE SKISFOR SKATES MAKES IT A DIFFERENTKIND OF CROSS COUNTRY RACE, GLIDING ON CONCRETE INSTEAD OFSNOWY TERRAIN IS STILL CHALLENGING PRACTICEFOR SOME OF THE MOST ELITEATHLETES AS WELL AS THE YOUNGERONES WHO LOOK UP TO THEM.BOTH OLYMPIANS AND UP AND COMINGCROSS COUNTRY SKIERS GO HEAD TOHEAD ON A CRISP FALL DAY AT THE TRAPPFAMILY LODGE.>> WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, IT WAS AHUGE INSPIRATION.HOPEFULLY, I CAN DO THE SAME FORTHEM.THE 10K RACE ORGANIZED BY THENEW ENGLAND NORDIC SKIASSOCIATION.>> TO GET THEM TOGETHER ISEXCITING FOR ALL OF US.REPORTER: STRIVING TO HELPCOMPETITIVE SKIERS EXCEL.>> WE ARE TRYING TO GROW THELEVEL OF OUR SKIERS TO MEET THELEVEL OF THE WORLD.REPORTER: A WAY TO PREPARE FORWHAT IS TO COME.>> PERFECT WAY TO PUT ON A RACEBIB AND GO THROUGH THE MOTIONSOF HOW TO WARM UP AND PRACTICEBEFORE IT'S ACTUALLY ON THE LINEAND REALLY MATTERS.REPORTER: THE WORLD CUP ANDOLYMPICS IS WHAT'S NEXT FOR SOME, MOTIVATION FOR ALL THE OTHERSCOMPETING RIGHT BESIDE THEM.THE AGES AND LEVELS MAY BEDIFFERENT.BUT THE PASSION FOR COMPETING,